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US 11,536,033 B2Granted
Interlocking roofing panel system and method
AssigneeEnglert, Inc.
InventorRobert Benton Lowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interlocking panel system for covering a base surface with interlocking panels to prevent water ingress. A first panel is secured to the base surface. A second panel interlocks with the first panel via a hook portion on the second panel entering a receptacle of the first panel. The hook portion expands after entering a retaining portion of the receptacle, thereby preventing the hook portion of the second panel from being withdrawn from the first panel.
Claims26
An interlocking panel system for covering a base surface comprising:
- a first panel configured to cover a portion of the base surface and including a receptacle, the receptacle comprising:
- an entry portion;
- and
- a retaining portion separated from the entry portion by a shoulder, the retaining portion being wider than the entry portion;
- a second panel configured to cover a portion of the base surface and including a hook portion, the hook portion comprising:
- a bend formed proximate to an end of the second panel;
- a first section extending from the bend, the first section being shorter than the entry portion;
- and
- a second section extending from and at an angle relative to, the first section, the angle being such that the second section extends outwardly of the first section relative to the base surface, the second section being shorter than the first section, the hook portion configured to be inserted into the receptacle of the first panel, the hook portion being compressed upon entering the entry portion of the receptacle and expanding upon passing the shoulder into the retaining portion, an end of the second section, when expanded into the retaining portion, engaging the shoulder of the first panel and preventing the hook portion from being withdrawn from the retaining portion.
6 more elements
A method of installing panels to a base surface, the method comprising:
- securing a first panel to the base surface, the first panel comprising a receptacle, the receptacle comprising:
- an entry portion;
- and
- a retaining portion separated from the entry portion by a shoulder, the retaining portion being wider than the entry portion;
- securing a second panel to the first panel by inserting a hook portion of the second panel into the receptacle of the first panel, the hook portion comprising:
- a bend formed proximate to an end of the second panel;
- a first section extending from the bend, the first section being shorter than the entry portion;
- and
- a second section extending from and at an angle relative to, the first section, the angle being such that the second section extends outwardly of the first section relative to the base surface, the second section being shorter than the first section;
- wherein when the hook portion is inserted into the receptacle, the entry portion compresses a width of the hook portion, the compression of the hook portion being released upon the hook portion passing the shoulder and entering the retaining portion of the receptacle, the end of the second section, when expanded into the retaining portion, engaging the shoulder of the first panel and preventing the second panel from being withdrawn from the first panel.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.